Aerial buoy for position locating

ABSTRACT

An aerial buoy including a frusto-conically shaped member, a tubular member extending coaxially therewith and upwardly therefrom, and a longitudinally extending support tube extending downwardly from the frusto-conically shaped member. A propeller and rudder assembly is pivotally connected to the support tube below the frusto-conical member. The frusto-conical and tubular members are collapsible. A launching structure is provided and includes a guide tube slidable within the support tube and a coil spring for imparting a launching force to the buoy. A cord is connected to the buoy and a cord storage and dispensing structure is provided for properly feeding cord in response to launching of the buoy. The entire assembly is housed within a cylindrical cover having a frusto-conical upper section.

United States Patent [1 1 Bergunder Nov. 20, 1973 AERIAL BUOY FOR POSITION LOCATING [76] Inventor: Walter Stanley Bergunder,

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada [22] Filed: Jan. 3, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 214,881

[52] US. Cl. 244/4 [51] Int. Cl. B64d 17/00, B64c 39/00 [58] Field of Search 244/4, 31, 32, 33,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,476,339 11/1969 Pugh 244/137 R 1,185,537 8/1915 Rafi'a 3,547,378 12/1970 Girard et al. 244/30 FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 17,966 7/1902 Great Britain 244/30 Primary ExaminerMilton Buchler Assistant Examiner-Charles E. Frankfurt Attorney-Johnson, Marcus & Wray 57 ABSTRACT An aerial buoy including a frusto-conically shaped member, a tubular member extending coaxially therewith and upwardly therefrom, and a longitudinally extending support tube extending downwardly from the frusto-conically shaped member. A propeller and rudder assembly is pivotally connected to the support tube below the frusto-conical member. The frustoconical and tubular members are collapsible.

A launching structure is provided and includes a guide tube slidable within the support tube and a coil spring for imparting a launching force to the buoy.

A cord is connected to the buoy and a cord storage and dispensing structure is provided for properly feeding cord in response to launching of the buoy. The entire assembly is housed within a cylindrical cover having a frusto-conical upper section.

19 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures AERIAL BUOY FOR POSITION LOCATING The present invention relates to aerial buoys and particularly to aerial buoys for indicating the location of lost persons to searching aircraft.

It is often difficult to locate downed aircraft or lost persons, particularly in wooded areas where heavy foliage screens the ground from the view of observers in searching aircraft.

Previously, such devices as flares have been used by lost persons but, in the operation of flares, there is the distinct disadvantage that their life span is very short and a flare must be therefore launched or ignited when a searching aircraft or search party is actually within visual distance.

To obviate this disadvantage, it has been proposed to provide balloon structures and containers of helium or the like gas to inflate the balloons. When inflated the balloons rise and are visible from the air or ground at a great distance. Devices of this type are expensive and are generally unsuitable for use in heavily wooded areas since contact with a tree branch or any sharp object will puncture the balloon and thus render the device useless.

From one aspect of the present invention, it is an object to provide an improved aerial buoy which is more economical, has a longer life span than said flares, and which, due to its aerodynamic configuration, will lift under the influence of a prevailing wind.

Accordingly, there is provided an aerial buoy comprising (a) a first member having a first surface defining a first cavity and a second surface opposed to said first surface; (b) a second member adjacent, and extending away from said second surface and defining a second cavity, the open end of said second cavity being adjacent said second surface; (c) at least one first air passage providing air-flow communication between said first and second cavities; and (d) air flow responsive means capable of orienting said buoy with respect to the direction of an air flow past said buoy.

From another aspect of the present invention, it is an object to provide a launching device for launching an aerial buoy into the air.

According to this aspect, the present invention comprises a launching device for an aerodynamic structure, the launching device comprising a longitudinally extending guide tube, a resilient launching means selectively movable between cooked and released positions, and release means selectively holding said resilient means in said cocked position and releasing said resilient means for movement from said cocked position to said released position.

From yet a further aspect it is an object of the present invention to provide a cord storing and dispensing as sembly for storing and dispensing a cord fixed at one end thereof to an aerial buoy.

According to this further aspect, there is provided a cord having one free end connected to an aerial buoy, and a cord storing and dispensing assembly to which the other end of said cord is connected.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gravity operated actuating mechanism for the launching arrangement, the mechanism comprising a weight, means selectively holding and releasing said weight, linkage means interconnecting said weight and a launching release means, movement of said weight under the influence of the force of gravity, acting, through said linkage means, to actuate said release means.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevation of the aerodynamic structure of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of a launching device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of a cable dispensing and tensioning arrangement in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation of a cord tensioner as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section along the line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation of a gravity operated actuator for the launching structure; and

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the assembled device showing the various cover elements.

AERIAL BUOY Referring most particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an aerial buoy comprising a hollow, substantially airimpervious member 10 having an upper portion 12 which forms the major part of a spherical surface and a lower collapsible cylindrical portion 14 integral with the upper portion 12. Portion 14 joins portion 12 along a circular line thereon such that the axis of portion 14 intersects the centre of portion 12. Portion 12 is provided with a plurality of apertures 16 and flexible flap members 17 (one shown) for closing the apertures. As shown in the drawings, a plurality of apertures 16 are provided adjacent the uppermost extremity of portion 12 and another plurality are provided circumferentially around member 10 adjacent the junction between portion 12 and portion 14.

The flap members 17 overlie the apertures 16 on the outer surface of portion 12 and are secured to the outer surface of portion 12 along a line disposed to one side of the associated aperture 16. The flap members 17 are of a resilient flexible material such as, for example, rubber, so that when an air pressure within portion 12 exceeds the ambient air pressure the flaps 17 will automatically open to allow air to flow outwardly through the apertures 16.

The lower, circumferentially extending free end of cylindrical portion 14 of member 10 is disposed about, and resiliently engaged with, an annular collar member 20.

A plurality of rods 22 are pivotally connected to collar 20 at points equidistantly spaced around collar 20. Rods 22 extend radially outwardly from collar 20 and pivot with respect thereto in respective radially extending planes.

The outer end of each of rods 22 is pivotally connected to the outer end of a radially extending rod 26, as at 28, and the inner ends of rods 26 are pivotally connected to an annular collar 30, as at 32.

Collars 20 and 30 are coaxial and disposed about a longitudinally extending tube 40, with collar 20 fixed to tube 40 adjacent the upper end thereof, and collar 30 freely slidable thereon, the sliding movement being limited by an annular projection 34 fixed to tube 40 intermediate the ends thereof.

As a result of the pivotal interconnection of collar 20, rods 22 and 26, and collar 30, sliding movement of collar 30 along tube 40 in a direction upwardly from projection 34 will pivot rods 22 inwardly towards tube 40, thus causing a collapsing of the structure. With collar 30 engaged with projection 34, the rods 22 define a frusto-conical surface with tube 40 extending along its axis.

A collar 36 is disposed about tube 40 intermediate projection 34 and the lower free end thereof for free pivotal movement thereabout and is held against sliding movement longitudinally of tube 40 by annular projections 38 fixed to tube 40 and disposed on opposite sides of collar 36.

A rod 42 extends radially outwardly from collar 36 and has a propeller member 44 joumalled thereto for free rotation about the axis thereof. At the diametrically opposite side of collar 36 from rod 42 is a rudder member 46 which is pivotally connected to collar 36 for movement in a radially extending plane between a radially extending position and a longitudinally extending position. A coil spring 48 having one end connected to collar 36 and the opposite end connected to rudder 46 biases rudder 46 to extend radially outwardly from collar 36. A bolt 50 passes axially through a bore in collar 36 and through coil spring 48 to hold these elements together.

The lower free end of tube 40 is provided with a radially extending annuar projection 52.

A flexible cover 23 is disposed about rods 22 to provide outwardly facing convex and inwardly facing concave surfaces when collar 30 abuts projection 34. Cover 23 is held in position on rods 22 by a plurality of sleeves, each of which has a respective one of rods 22 threaded therethrough. The upper end of cover 23 is dimensioned to fit over collar 20 and is held thereon by engagement between the lower end of member and collar 20.

Collar 20 is provided with a plurality of axially extending through bores 21 whereby the interior of member 10 communicates with the underside of cover 23.

A cord 54 extends through the centre of tube 40 and is connected to tube 40 adjacent the upper end thereof by a washer member 56 and a knot 58 in the free end of cord 54.

, LAUNCHING ASSEMBLY Referring most particularly to FIG. 2, there is shown a guide and launching structure for the aerial buoy.

The guide structure comprises a longitudinally extending tube 60 and a cylindrical member 62 coaxial therwith. The cylindrical member 62 and tube 60 define an annular space in which the buoy is disposed in a collapsed condition, tube 60 extending longitudinally within tube 40 and cord 54 within tube 60.

Two annular projections 63 and 64 extend radially outwardly from cylinder 62 at longitudinally spaced positions thereof, projection 64 being of greater radial dimension than projection 63 and disposed longitudinally downwardly therefrom.

Three frusto-conical cover members 65, 66 and 67 are disposed about cylinder 62. Cover member 65 engages, along a circumferential line thereof, the upper end of cylinder 62 and defines, at its upper end, a circular opening 69 in which portion 12 of member 10 is frictionally held. The lower end of cover member 65 is connected with the upper end of cover member 66 by means of a bayonet connection 68.

Cover 66 engages, along a circumferential line thereof, radial projection 63 and has its lower edge connected to the upper edge of cover member 67 by a bayonet connection 68.

Cover 67 engages, along a circumferential line thereof, annular projection 64. Covers 65, 66 and 67 form, when interconnected, a frusto-conical upper cover for the launching assembly.

The lower end of tube 60 is rigidly and coaxially connected to an annular plate 70, which plate 70 is connected guide a cylindrical wall 72 to form an annular recess 74 defined by tube 60, plate 70 and wall 72. The upper edge of cylindrical wall 72 guide an annular lip 76 which is held in an inwardly facing annular groove 78 in an annular plate 80. Lip 76 is held in groove 78 by means of a bolt 82 passing through aligned apertures in groove 78 and lip 76.

The annular plate is connected, at its outer periphery, to a cylindrical cover 84, which cover is connected, at its upper end, to the lower end of cover member 67 by means of threaded connection 86.

A coil spring 88 is disposed in annular recess 74, coaxial therewith, and with its lower end supported on plate 70 and connected thereto by means of an eye 89. An annular plate 90 is fixed to the upper end of spring 88, as by welding.

Spring 88 is held in a compressed condition by engagement of a U-shaped member 92 with plate 90. The respective arms of member 90 are disposed on opposite sides of tube 60, and a rod 94 extends outwardly from the base of the U.

Rod 94 is slidably held in a guide 96 rigidly con nected to plate 80 and carries, at its endremote from member 92, a worm gear 98 engaged with a rack 100. Rack 100 is mounted on a vertically extending rod 102 whereby vertically downward movement of rod 102 and therefore rack 100 will act, through worm gear 98, to retract rod 94 and draw member 90 out of engagement with spring 88.

CORD STORING AND DISPENSING Cord 54 extends longitudinally through tube 60 and past annular plate 70 into a cord storing and dispensing assembly which will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

The cord storing and dispensing assembly is enclosed within a cover defined by annular plate 80, cylinder 84 and lower circular plate 104 connected to cylinder 84 at the lower end thereof.

Cord 54 passes from the lower end of tobe 60 to a tensioner indicated generally by the reference numeral 106 and thence to a traversing guide indicated generally at 140, and to a spool 150 on which cord 54 is wound.

Referring most particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, tensioner 106 is shown as comprising two disc-like members 108 connected to cylinder 84 at diametrically opposed positions thereof. Each of plates 108 is provided with a plurality of angularly spaced recesses 110 and a rod 1 l2 fixed coaxially thereto and extending inwardly therefrom. Each of two circular plates 114 is jounalled, at the axis thereof, to a respective one of rods 112 and has angularly spaced axially extending projections 116 engageable with recesses 110 in a respective one of plates 108. Each of two annular plate members 118 is disposed coaxially with a respective one of plates 114 and is fixed thereto inwardly thereof. Each of two circular plates 140 is coaxial and co-planar with a respective one of plates 118 and is journalled to the respective one of shafts 112 for rotation thereabout. Each pair of plates 118 and 120 define therebetween an annular space 122.

Pates 120 are fixed to rods 112 to prevent relative axial movement between these elements, and two Belleville type springs 124 are disposed between each pair of plates 120 and 114 to urge plates 114 into engagement with the respective ones of plates 108.

A shaft 126 extends parallel to rods 112 with its respective opposite ends extending through respective ones of the two annular slots 122 and connected to respective ones of plates 114. A shaft 128 extends parallel to shaft 126 and has its opposite ends fixed to respective ones of plates 120, eccentrically thereof.

Two longitudinally toothed rollers 130 and 132 are journalled to shafts 126 and 128, respectively, and are dimensioned to engage with one another, as most clearly shown in FIG. 5.

A clock spring 134 is disposed about, and is connected at its inner end to shaft 128. The free end of spring 134 is engaged with shaft 126 to bias shaft 126 into a position vertically above shaft 128.

Rollers 130 and 132 have circumferential grooves 136 and 138 therein, and cord 54 is disposed within these grooves, as shown in FIG. 5, whereby the tension in cord 54 is controlled by the relative movement between rollers 130 and 132.

Referring most particularly to FIG. 3, guide mechanism 140 comprises an eye member 142 threadably engaged with a cross threaded shaft 144 journalled, at its opposite ends, to diametrically opposed positions on cylinder 84. The opposite ends of shaft 144 are engaged by respective ones of friction clutch arrangements 146 which prevent free rotation of shaft 144. A gear 148 is mounted on one end of shaft 144 and is engaged with a gear 152 fixed to a spool arrangement 150.

Spool arrangement 150 consists of a shaft 154 extending parallel to shaft 144 and journalled, at the opposite ends thereof, to diametrically opposed positions on cylinder 84. Gear 152 is mounted on the shaft 154 for rotation therewith, and the opposite ends of the shaft have friction clutch arrangements 156 mounted thereto to prevent free rotation thereof. Cord 54 has an end fixed to, and is wound upon, shaft 154.

One end of spool 150 is provided with a socket 158 of non-circular cross-section. Socket 158 communicates with a circular aperture 159 in cylinder 84 whereby a crank handle having a shaft engageable with con-circular socket 158 can be used to rotate shaft 154 to wind cord 54 onto the shaft.

ACTUATING MECHANISM Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an actuating arrangement for the launching arrangement shown in FIG. 2.

A cylindrical cover 160 having the same diameter as cylinder 84 is disposed coaxially therewith, the upper end of cover 160 and the lower end of cylinder 84 being in abutment and covers 160 and 84 are interconnected by means of a threaded collar 162. An annular plate 164 is connected to the lower end of cylindrical sleeve 160 and has a closure member 166 pivotally connected thereto, as at 168, for closing the circular, central opening therein.

An annular weight 170 is disposed within cover coaxially therewith and has its lower radial face engaged with, and fixed to, plate 164. The cylindrical axial bore in weight is of the same radius, and is coaxial with, the central opening in plate 164.

Weight 170 has a radially extending bore 172 therein with a reduced diameter portion 173 at the radially inward end thereof.

A rod member 174 extends coaxially through bore 172 and is bent at its radially inner end to provide a radially outwardly extending latch portion 176, engageable with an eye 178 on closure member 166.

The radially outward end of rod 174 extends outwardly through a circular aperture 180 in cover 160 and has, at its outer end, an enlarged diameter button portion 182.

A coil spring 184 fits slidably within bore 172 and surrounds rod 174, with its radially inward end in abutment with reduced diameter portion 173 of bore 172 and its radially outward end in abutment with button portion 182 of rod 174. Spring 184 biases rod 174 towards a radially outward position wherein latch portion 176 of rod 174 is engaged with eye 178 of closure member 166.

The rod 102, which has its upper end in geared connection with rod 94 of the launching spring releasing mechanism, extends through plate 104 and has its lower end pivotally connected to a crank 186 on a rod 188. Rod 188 is journalled to plate 104, as at 190, for rotation about a radially extending axis parallel to plate 104. A cord 192 is wound around shaft 188 and has its free end connected to a spherical weight 194 disposed vertically above closure 166.

To actuate the mechanism, button 182 of rod 174 is pushed, thus releasing latch 176 from engagement with eye 178 and permitting closure 166 to pivot downwardly under the force of gravity. This releases weight 194 which falls downwardly through the central opening in plate 164, thus unwinding cord 192 from shaft 188 and rotating this shaft. Rotation of shaft 188 rotates crank 186 which in turn pulls rod 102 downwardly and, through the geared connection of rod 102, rod 94 retracts clamp member 90 from its engagement with plate 92 on the upper end of spring 88.

Upon release, spring 88 expands upwardly and impacts forcibly with radial projection 52 on tube 40 to drive tube 40 and the structure affixed thereto out of the cover arrangement in which it is disposed, with a substantial velocity.

The buoy portion of the device will thus be launched upwardly and carry with it an end of cord 54. Tensioner 106, guide 140, and spool 150 act to ensure the proper unreeling of cord 54 in response to the tension placed on it by the launched buoy.

The configuration of the buoy is such that when, under the influence of the force of gravity, its vertical velocity becomes zero and it begins to fall, air will be trapped under cover member 23 and will force rods 22 outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 1. Air will also pass through bores 21 in collar 20 to inflate member 10. The propeller and rudder structure pivots about rod 40 to be in alignment with any prevailing wind and acts to orient the vertical axis of the structure with respect to the wind direction such that the interaction of the wind with the structure will create a lifting force on the buoy.

Apertures 16, which are normally closed by flaps 17, act to prevent an excessive air pressure buildup within member in the event of high wind velocities.

The invention as described, by way of example, is susceptible to many different modifications, according to the envisaged mode of use.

For example, the described embodiment is specifically adapted for manual actuation either from the ground or from an aircraft in flight.

When actuated in an aircraft, the weights 170 and 194 will ensure the correct orientation of the launching, cord dispensing and actuating arrangements as these fall to the ground.

It is also possible, however, to mount the structure to the body of an aircraft whereby the entire mechanism is launched by some structure carried by the aircraft and the spring launching of the buoy from the remainder of the assembly takes place when the entire arrangement is a sufficient distance from the aircraft.

It is also envisaged to provide a storage space within cover 160 and above annular weight 170 wherein flares or a radio signal broadcasting device can be stored. In the event that the gravity actuating mechanism is replaced by some alternative arrangement, this entire space can be used for storage of such elements.

While a specific embodiment of the cover 23 has been shown as being of substantially frusto-conical shape, many other shapes, for example, paraboloids, hemispheres or irregular curved shapes which define cavities, are envisaged for use with the buoy of the present invention.

1 claim:

1. An aerial buoy adapted to be sustained by an air flow therepast, said buoy comprising:

a. a first member having a first surface defining a first cavity and a second surface opposed to said first surface;

b. a second member adjacent, and extending away from said second surface and defining a second cavity, the open end of said second cavity being adjacent said second surface;

c. at least one first air passage providing air flow communication between said first and second cavities;

d. a longitudinally extending support member connected to said first member and projecting out of said first cavity; and

e. air flow responsive means comprising a rudder and propeller assembly jounalled on said support member outwardly of said first cavity, said rudder adapted to orient said propeller transversely of an air flow past said buoy and said propeller freely rotatable in response to said air flow whereby said air flow responsive means are capable of orienting said buoy with respect to the direction of an air flow past said buoy.

2. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said first surface of said first member is of substantially converging configuration.

3. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 2 and wherein said first member comprises a plurality of first rod members and a flexible cover member disposed about said first rod members and fixed to each of said first rod members.

4. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said first rod members is pivotally connected, adjacent one end thereof, to a first collar member and pivotally connected, adjacent an opposite end thereof, to

one end of a respective one of a plurality of second rod members, each of the second rod members having an opposite end pivotally connected to a second collar member, said first and second collar members being coaxially disposed about said support tube with said first collar member fixed to said support tube adjacent a first end thereof and said second collar axially slidable along said support member, and stop means limiting sliding movement of said second collar in a direction away from said first collar, whereby sliding movement of said second collar towards said first collar collapses said flexible cover member.

5. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first and second members are mounted on said first collar and said at least one first air passage comprises at least one axially extending through bore in said first collar.

6. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said second member is of substantially tubular configuration and has an open end and a closed end.

7. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second member comprises a first substantially tubular collapsible portion and a second, substantially globeshaped cap portion of greater rigidity than said first portion.

8. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second member includes at least one second air passage providing air-flow communication between said second cavity and the exterior of said second member.

9. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 8 wherein at least one flap member is mounted on said second member closing said at least one second air passage and openable in response to an air pressure in said second cavity greater than an air pressure exterior of said sec ond member by a predetermined value.

10. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim I wherein said longitudinally extending support member is a support tube and said first member, said second member and said support tube are symmetrical about a common axis.

11. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 10 wherein said support tube has a first end adjacent said first surface of said first member and extends axially away therefrom, said air flow responsive means being journalled on said support tube axially intermediate said first member and a second end of said support tube.

12. In combination with an aerial buoy as claimed in claim 10, a launching assembly, said assembly comprismg:

a. a first longitudinally extending guide means slidably engageable with said support tube;

b. resilient launching means selectively movable between a cooked position and a released position; and

c. release means selectively holding said resilient launching means in said cocked position and releasing said resilient launching means for movement between said cocked position and said released position.

13. The combination as claimed in claim 12 wherein said guide means comprise a guide tube slidable within said support tube and said resilient launching means comprise a compressible spring axially engageable with said support tube.

14. The combination as claimed in claim 13 and further including a cylindrical member coaxial with said guide tube, said aerial buoy slidably fitting between said cylindrical member and said guide tube, said spring coaxial with said cylindrical member and said guide tube and extending longitudinally therebetween.

15. The combination as claimed in claim 14 and including an actuating mechanism comprising:

a. a weight;

b. means selectively holding and releasing said weight, said weight falling under the force of gravity when released;

0. linkage means interconnecting said weight and said launching means, said linkage means moving said releasing means to a releasing position in response to movement of said weight and said linkage.

16. The combination as claimed in claim 14 and including a substantially frusto-conically shaped cover coaxially disposed about said cylindrical member and mounted theron.

17. The combination as claimed in claim 16 including a cord having a free end thereof connected to said aerial buoy and a cord storing and dispensing assembly and further comprising a cylindrical cover disposed about said cord storing and dispensing assembly and coaxially connected to said substantially frustoconically shaped cover adjacent the greater diameter end thereof.

18. In combination with an aerial buoy as claimed in claim 1, a cord having a free end thereof connected to said buoy and a cord storing and dispensing assembly.

19. The combination as claimed in claim 18 wherein said cord storing and dispensing assembly comprises a cord tensioner, a traversing guids and a spool, said cord extending from said buoy to said cord tensioner, said traversing guide and said spool respectively, and means operatively interconnecting said traversing guids and said spool. 

1. An aerial buoy adapted to be sustained by an air flow therepast, said buoy comprising: a. a first member having a first surface defining a first cavity and a second surface opposed to said first surface; b. a second member adjacent, and extending away from said second surface and defining a second cavity, the open end of said second cavity being adjacent said second surface; c. at least one first air passage providing air flow communication between said first and second cavities; d. a longitudinally extending support member connected to said first member and projecting out of said first cavity; and e. air flow responsive means comprising a rudder and propeller assembly jounalled on said support member outwardly of said first cavity, said rudder adapted to orient said propeller transversely of an air flow past said buoy and said propeller freely rotatable in response to said air flow whereby said air flow responsive means are capable of orienting said buoy with respect to the direction of an air flow past said buoy.
 2. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said first surface of said first member is of substantially converging configuration.
 3. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 2 and wherein said first member comprises a plurality of first rod members and a flexible cover member disposed about said first rod members and fixed to each of said first rod members.
 4. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said first rod members is pivotally connected, adjacent one end thereof, to a first collar member and pivotally connected, adjacent An opposite end thereof, to one end of a respective one of a plurality of second rod members, each of the second rod members having an opposite end pivotally connected to a second collar member, said first and second collar members being coaxially disposed about said support tube with said first collar member fixed to said support tube adjacent a first end thereof and said second collar axially slidable along said support member, and stop means limiting sliding movement of said second collar in a direction away from said first collar, whereby sliding movement of said second collar towards said first collar collapses said flexible cover member.
 5. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 4 wherein said first and second members are mounted on said first collar and said at least one first air passage comprises at least one axially extending through bore in said first collar.
 6. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said second member is of substantially tubular configuration and has an open end and a closed end.
 7. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 6 wherein said second member comprises a first substantially tubular collapsible portion and a second, substantially globe-shaped cap portion of greater rigidity than said first portion.
 8. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second member includes at least one second air passage providing air-flow communication between said second cavity and the exterior of said second member.
 9. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 8 wherein at least one flap member is mounted on said second member closing said at least one second air passage and openable in response to an air pressure in said second cavity greater than an air pressure exterior of said second member by a predetermined value.
 10. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 1 wherein said longitudinally extending support member is a support tube and said first member, said second member and said support tube are symmetrical about a common axis.
 11. An aerial buoy as claimed in claim 10 wherein said support tube has a first end adjacent said first surface of said first member and extends axially away therefrom, said air flow responsive means being journalled on said support tube axially intermediate said first member and a second end of said support tube.
 12. In combination with an aerial buoy as claimed in claim 10, a launching assembly, said assembly comprising: a. a first longitudinally extending guide means slidably engageable with said support tube; b. resilient launching means selectively movable between a cocked position and a released position; and c. release means selectively holding said resilient launching means in said cocked position and releasing said resilient launching means for movement between said cocked position and said released position.
 13. The combination as claimed in claim 12 wherein said guide means comprise a guide tube slidable within said support tube and said resilient launching means comprise a compressible spring axially engageable with said support tube.
 14. The combination as claimed in claim 13 and further including a cylindrical member coaxial with said guide tube, said aerial buoy slidably fitting between said cylindrical member and said guide tube, said spring coaxial with said cylindrical member and said guide tube and extending longitudinally therebetween.
 15. The combination as claimed in claim 14 and including an actuating mechanism comprising: a. a weight; b. means selectively holding and releasing said weight, said weight falling under the force of gravity when released; c. linkage means interconnecting said weight and said launching means, said linkage means moving said releasing means to a releasing position in response to movement of said weight and said linkage.
 16. The combination as claimed in claim 14 and including a substantially frusto-conically shaped cover coaxially disposed about said cylindrical member and mounted theron.
 17. The combination as claimed in claim 16 including a cord having a free end thereof connected to said aerial buoy and a cord storing and dispensing assembly and further comprising a cylindrical cover disposed about said cord storing and dispensing assembly and coaxially connected to said substantially frusto-conically shaped cover adjacent the greater diameter end thereof.
 18. In combination with an aerial buoy as claimed in claim 1, a cord having a free end thereof connected to said buoy and a cord storing and dispensing assembly.
 19. The combination as claimed in claim 18 wherein said cord storing and dispensing assembly comprises a cord tensioner, a traversing guids and a spool, said cord extending from said buoy to said cord tensioner, said traversing guide and said spool respectively, and means operatively interconnecting said traversing guids and said spool. 